story: CHAPTER IX 
  
  THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN 
  
  The distance from the bottom of the funnel to the floor of the chamber beneath it could not have been great, for all three of the victims of Tario's wrath alighted unscathed. 
  
  Carthoris, still clasping Thuvia tightly to his breast, came to the ground catlike, upon his feet, breaking the shock for the girl. Scarce had his feet touched the rough stone flagging of this new chamber than his sword flashed out ready for instant use. But though the room was lighted, there was no sign of enemy about. 
  
  Carthoris looked toward Jav. The man was pasty white with fear. 
  
  "What is to be our fate?" asked the Heliumite. "Tell me, man! Shake off your terror long enough to tell me, so I may be prepared to sell my life and that of the Princess of Ptarth as dearly as possible." 
  
  "Komal!" whispered Jav. "We are to be devoured by Komal!" 
  
  "Your deity?" asked Carthoris. 
  
  The Lotharian nodded his head. Then he pointed toward a low doorway at one end of the chamber. 
  
  "From thence will he come upon us. Lay aside your puny sword, fool. It will but enrage him the more and make our sufferings the worse." 
  
  Carthoris smiled, gripping his long-sword the more firmly. 
  
  Presently Jav gave a horrified moan, at the same time pointing toward the door. 
  
  "He has come," he whimpered. 
  
  Carthoris and Thuvia looked in the direction the Lotharian had indicated, expecting to see some strange and fearful creature in human form; but to their astonishment they saw the broad head and great-maned shoulders of a huge banth, the largest that either ever had seen. 
questions: Who fell from one floor to the one under it?
questions: Who was mad at them?
questions: What or who was Carthoris holding?
questions: Was that a girl?
questions: How did Carthoris land?
questions: Had it been a long drop?
questions: What did Carthoris do as soon as he touched down?
questions: Did he see anybody to use it on?
questions: Well was there enough light to see?
questions: Did he then ask a question?
questions: Of whom?
questions: Was Jav afraid?
questions: How afraid?
questions: What did Jav think was going to happen to them?
questions: Did Jav think it was a good idea forn Carthoris to use his sword?
questions: Why not?
questions: So did Carthoris take his advice?
questions: What did he do instead?
questions: What was the expression on his face?
questions: Did the Komal come?
answers: all three of the victims
answers:  for all three of the victims of Tario's wrath alighted unscathed. 
answers: Tario
answers: the victims of Tario's wrath
answers: Thuvia
answers: Carthoris, still clasping Thuvia tightly to his breast
answers: yes
answers: breaking the shock for the girl
answers: catlike
answers: came to the ground catlike
answers: no
answers: it could not have been great
answers: drew his sword
answers: his sword flashed out
answers: no
answers:  there was no sign of enemy about. 
answers: yes
answers: But though the room was lighted
answers: yes
answers: What is to be our fate?" asked the Heliumite
answers: Jav
answers: Carthoris looked toward Jav
answers: yes
answers: Jav. The man was pasty white with fear. 
answers: he was pasty white with fear
answers:  The man was pasty white with fear
answers: they would be devoured by Komal
answers: whispered Jav. "We are to be devoured by Komal!
answers: no
answers: Lay aside your puny sword, fool
answers: it would just enrage him more
answers: Lay aside your puny sword, fool. It will but enrage him the more
answers: no
answers: Carthoris smiled, gripping his long-sword the more firmly. 
answers: he gripped his long-sword more firmly
answers: Carthoris smiled, gripping his long-sword the more firmly
answers: he smiled
answers: Carthoris smiled, gripping his long-sword the more firmly. 
answers: yes
answers: He has come," he whimpered.